Hard work has been the backbone of jockey Glen Colless’s superb January form which continued with a winning treble at Ipswich on Wednesday.
The jockey’s wins on Gowan Brae ($9.50), Touch Of Bella ($2.40) and Snitziola ($4.60) took his tally of winners since New Year’s day to 10.
It is in stark contrast to the start of the season when Colless missed two months of riding after he was dislodged from Hazard Bay on the way to the barriers on September 18.
He suffered serious facial injuries and didn’t resume riding until December 20.
During his injury-enforced break Colless said he spent plenty of time in the gym with a personal trainer.
“I am feeling good and hopefully the run will continue,” Colless said.
Colless has a chance to improve on his figures for the month with six rides at Doomben on Saturday including Tukiyo, the favourite for the Listed Nudgee Quality.
Trainer Tony Sears believes Touch Of Bella can win over a middle distance after her victory in Wednesday’s Max Standfield Memorial Handicap (1666m).
“I know she got beaten at 1800-metres at Caloundra at her previous start but she wanted to pull a bit that day and still boxed on,” Sears said.
“I am keen to chase some of the QTIS bonus races with distances around the 1800-metres with her.”
Trainer Kelly Schweida has always believed Gowan Brae would be at his best when he got to at least 1600m.
That opinion was franked when the gelding circled the field and scored an easy win in the George Kitching Memorial Handicap (1666m).
Schweida will also look to test Gowan Brae over longer distances in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, veteran Darling Downs trainer Len Bryant and jockey Ron Goltz made a rare visit to town and came away with a win courtesy of Tigerish ($9).
